Heading home!

Tomorrow will be 30 days in Russia, and our journey back home begins. At 8 am young Vladimir picks us up and takes us to the airport. From there we we fly to Washington DC, then to Chicago, then finally to Omaha. I think it's kinda of fitting that all the paperwork for Maddux was done here in Moscow, and then we fly into Washington DC. Although we are only there for an hour and a half...hopefully enough time to clear customs and such. We got all the paperwork today and packed most everything, we think. I'm sure there is something we are forgetting. I guess we'll find it in the morning?

Thank you to everyone that followed our little story. It felt good to write down my thoughts as the process went on. I hope that we helped future adoptive couples with our advice, insights, and direction. Russia is an amazing place, but it takes some getting use to. I'd like to come back some day, with Maddux. Show him where we were, walk the same streets we walked as we waited for him. Take him to the places that he's only seen in the pictures.

So if you are in the process of adopting, good luck and keep the faith. It might seem like it'll never end or the light at the end of the tunnel never gets closer. Trust me, as a former doubter, it will. The reward in the end is more special than anything in the world!

Rich

The Kremlin and Lenin's Tomb

Today we visited the Kremlin and Lenin's Tomb. They wouldn't let us take our cameras in, but it was totally worth the experience. You enter on the far end of Red Square and walk down the wall. There are a number of black and gold plaques on the wall memorializing cosmonauts and scientists that died. Vladimir, our driver told us that many cosmonauts died because their "space program wasn't that successful". I thought his comment was funny or sarcastic...he didn't. As you enter the tomb, there are guards at every turn. Each one of them direct you either around a corner or down the stairs. The tomb itself is amazing. Lennin looks like he's made of wax. It's very quiet, very respectful. When you leave, you proceed down a row of former Soviet leaders memorials, with Stalin being the next to last. It was a crazy, amazing experience that I thought I would never have in my life. Thank you Jenny and Maddux! It was like I was in high school studying soviet history all over again. I'll remember today for the rest of my life. No way in a million years did I ever dream I'd be there.

After that we went to the Kremlin. It's like a little city. Vladimir said that Stalin wanted to build a tram from one end to the other, but died before he could make it happen. Walking from one end to the other took a little while, but was totally worth the trip. The churches there amazing works of architecture and more amazing on the inside. It's worth the 350 rubles a piece to see.

Many people commented before we left that it was "dangerous" or "crazy" for us to come here. I think it's a generation thing. We saw the wall come down. We saw capitalism invide Russia. Jenny and I ate at a McDonalds yesterday in downtown Moscow. McDonald's! The very symbol of the modern western world. The Russia we have experienced is more like America, and nothing like what it once was. I stood in the very spot where Life Magazine in 1969 put the fear of God in the western world. I stood in that spot with my son today and smiled as my wife took our picture. I'd encourage anyone that had the chance to do the same thing. It's something you'll never forget!

Rich

Visa done!

We spent the day at the US Embassy. Nothing like it looks like in the movies by the way. There is no clearly marked front door. There isn't a big US Government seal welcoming us in. No US officials. It's a building just like all the rest of them, drab colored and not remarkable at all. We couldn't take our phones or cameras in, but I'm sure that's pretty normal with any embassy. We made our way to the "adoption" area, which was pretty clearly marked. Aftering paying the $404, we were addressed by a very American sounding woman. She went over a few key points about why we were here and what we should expect when we entered the United States again. Maddux will be a dual citizen at least until he reaches the age of 18. Then he can decide to either renounce one citizenship or the other, or remain both. There is a catch though. If he is still a Russian citizen and he returns to Russia between the ages of 18 to 35, he could be drafted into military service. Then again, that's 17 years in the future, who knows how things might change between now and then.

After the embassy appointment, our driver took us to the Moscow Zoo. It was a nice day, not very cold at all. The zoo is super nice, they have a ton of animals. We really enjoyed the two hours we were there. Maddux seemed to enjoy it too, but fell asleep at the end. No nap today, but he did great.

Yesterday we ventured down to Red Square and paid 300 rubles for what we thought was a museum. Turns out it was some kind of Russian Orthodox trade show/gathering. Lots of stuff for sale, lots of priests talking to old ladies about Orthodox stuff I'd guess? There was this odd, building looking thing in the middle of the floor with a long line to either light a candle or kiss a picture of something on one of the walls. Jenny was very curious, and stood in line. In the end she kissed the picture along with the other people in line. We still have no idea what it was all about. There were a ton of people waiting though.

Tomorrow we're going back to the Kremlin to see if we can find the entrance and do a little sight seeing. Maybe Jenny can find another picture to kiss?

Rich

Almost done...

It's Tuesday morning here in Moscow, and raining again. It's been cold and rainy on and off since we got here. Yesterday we spent some time down in Red Square again. Can't figure out the entrance to the Kremlin though. Maybe tomorrow we'll go down there again and try to get more pictures.

I chose the picture at the top of the page for one reason. Jenny and I waited so long for a child. Most of you all know all the stuff we went through. For a while there, it seemed like it would never happen. It was hard on both of us. Then our turn finally came, and here we are in an amazing city half a world away with our son. I don't know how it could be any more perfect. This entire experience has changed my life.

Today we are heading down to the US Embassy to sign paperwork. I think we get his visa either tomorrow or Thursday. Then, weather permitting, we'll go to the Moscow Zoo.

Rich

TGI Fridays!

Just a few blocks over and a few up from our hotel is something very familiar. TGI Fridays! We've eaten there twice now actually, and the food is very good. Maddux likes grilled cheese and fries. The balloon was a hit too. Moscow is fairly easy to get around as long as you have the map pointing in the right direction! Red Square is only a few minutes from our hotel, and there is a grocery store just around the corner. So far its been a great stay!

Pharmacy Adventures

Today is rainy and kind of cold here.
The Dr. came and evaluated Maddux. He has a perforation in his ear drum. We suspected that due to the fluid coming from it. We asked in Kemerovo and were told to wait until our Dr. visit. We looked it all up on internet and suspected a perforation. It doesn't hurt him now so that is good. He just had an ear infection in the orphanage that wasn't properly taken care of. Anyway he is just on anti-biotics for it and will heal. He also has a cold so was prescribed some nasal sprays and cough meds. Amoxicilin (sp?) and all meds was over the counter here.
Besides that the Dr. said he was a healthy boy! We were glad to hear that!

So we asked where the nearest pharmacy was and told it was close. Well we got lost and kept making our way back to Red Square somehow. Good thing is Red Square is just 5 min from our hotel, it's super close. We just kept wandering for about an hour and finally found a pharmacy (not the one we were looking for, but it worked). Afterwards, we ate at a McDonald's. It was SOOOOOOOO good! Normally I don't eat it but man was it tasty! Maddux loves fries now, at first he wouldn't eat them but that all changed today! He is a big fan!

So we were heading back to hotel and low and behold there was the pharmacy, like 1 min from our hotel. We aren't sure how we missed it and walked right past it!!!!!

It's the holiday's here so people were out and about today...

Loving our hotel!!! Bed is so comfy!

Well that is it for now! Hoping tomorrow is nice so we can go explore!

Jenny

PS posting a pic of Maddux, he is missing NE!!! Of course he got tons of juice on his shirt, but oh well...

Made it to Moscow

Well, we made it to Moscow yesterday, the last leg of our journey. The flight was horrible. Bumpy, uncomfortable, and long. We had to circle Moscow for at least an hour, so our 4.5 hour flight actually took 5.5 hours. Maddux actually did better than us! He was awesome actually, didn't fuss that much at all. We were very proud of him. Once we arrived we waited 1.5 hours for our bags. Our driver was there, waiting patiently though. I figured the drive to the hotel would only be an hour, turns out I was wrong about that! Traffic was HORRIBLE. It took us three hours. There was a point where we traveled about two blocks in a half hour. If I never made that drive again it'll be too soon. Both of us had problems yesterday. My stomach was a mess, and Jenny almost passed out at the Kemerovo airport. It was probably one of the worst traveling days either of us have ever had.

We here though, and the Marriott is awesome. Jenny really scored with this Marriott Visa card and points thing. It was probably one of the best decisions we made during this whole process. The doctor came this morning and gave Maddux the once over. His head is in the 25th percentile, and his height/weight is a bit low but proportinal. He agreed, being at the orphanage is probably to blame for some of that. Otherwise he's a health boy. He wrote us a prescription for his ear drainage and runny nose. We're heading down to find a pharmacy here shortly.

Overall, I think we got lucky with Maddux. He's a great kid. He only gets mad when we miss a meal or don't feed him enough. Kinda like his mom! :)

Rich